Des Moines police officers justified in fatally shooting of unarmed man when he said he had a gun

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Des Moines, IA - The Des Moines Police Department has released some body camera video of a recent shooting in which two police officers shot and killed a man who they believed was armed and dangerous.

The video's release comes as both Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham both determined the shooting was "legally justified."

The incident began at around 2:40 p.m. on Jan. 24 when two officers, Michael Hoopes and William Perez, arrived at a home on East Tiffin Avenue to locate and arrest 36-year-old Brandon Mitchell.

Earlier in the month, a female victim had told police Mitchell was stalking and harassing her, as well as threatening to kill her. Mitchell also had outstanding warrants for his arrest.

"The officers learned that Mitchell has multiple prior felony offenses, violent tendencies and is known to go armed," Sgt. Paul Parizek said in a video summary of the shooting.

The officers ensured the female resident was out of the home before approaching, according to the video summary. The woman unlocked a side door for officers, allowing them and a K9 to enter.

Police announced their presence at least twice on the main floor, ordering Mitchell to come out of hiding. This continued as the officers moved to the upper level of the home.

During the search, a K9 notified the officers Mitchell was hiding in a closet behind a large picture frame. When officers approached him, Mitchell can be heard on camera saying, "Don't touch me" and "I've got a gun."

The officers immediately backed out of the closet, telling Mitchell, "Show me your hands." The sound of glass breaking can be heard on video.

The officers perceived the noise as gunshots and began shooting at Mitchell. Perez fired five shots, while Hoopes fired six shots, according to the video summary.

The body camera footage provided to Local 5 as of 11:45 a.m. stops after shots were fired. Parizek told Local 5 the raw body camera footage will be shared later in the day.

According to the video summary, Perez and Hoopes stopped firing and told Mitchell to exit the closet, telling him they would render first aid. When Mitchell refused, the officers requested a ballistic shield to safely approach Mitchell.

After an undisclosed amount of time, the ballistic shield arrived and the officers approached Mitchell and began to provide first aid. Mitchell was then taken to a hospital, where he later died.

"The loud, sudden crashing sound was found to be the breaking and shattering of the glass picture frame," Parizek said in the video summary. "No gun was located in the closet."

The woman who said Mitchell had been harassing her told authorities Mitchell had previously referenced "[wanting] police to kill him in front of her." Mitchell had also allegedly told the woman, "They're going to have to shoot me. I'm not going back to prison."